Children's Home run by Idem Living Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 1 SC489223 Registered provider: Idem Living Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for two children. Since the last inspection, the provider has varied its registration to include providing care to children with a learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. However, the child was not at the home during the inspection. The inspector attempted to seek their views about the quality of care and support that they receive but was unable to do so.

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Information about this children’s home

The post of registered manager has been vacant since April 2021. Following the last inspection and the child at the home moving on, leaders decided to temporarily not admit any more children to enable improvements to be made. The home started operating again in August 2022. A manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 03/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/11/2019 Full Good 17/12/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home, due to the staff not being able to keep them safe. Leaders and managers worked in partnership with the placing authority to ensure that the child’s move was well planned and managed in a caring and sensitive manner. Following this, leaders and managers took time to reflect, and did not admit children to the home until August 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

After a thorough assessment process, the current child moved to the home in August 2022. Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs. External professionals commented on the good-quality care and support that the child receives. . The child’s social worker and their independent reviewing officer both said that staff advocate well for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are extremely proactive in seeking the child’s views about the care and support that they receive, and what improvements can be made in the home. For example, the child requested a new mattress and decorative lighting for their bedroom. These requests were acted on. And when the child asked to attend boxing lessons, they were enrolled at a local boxing club.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child experiences a good range of activities, both in the home and the wider community. A memory book includes photos of the child’s activities and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not yet in full-time education. Leaders and managers work with other professionals to improve the child’s educational outcomes. As a result of this, the child has been offered a full-time place in a local mainstream school. In the meantime, staff are providing the child with opportunities for meaningful education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a home that is homely, welcoming and well maintained. Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have made significant improvements to the home. It has been decorated throughout and improvements have been made to the kitchen-dining room and soft furnishings introduced. In addition, the child now has a bedroom with en-suite facilities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the last inspection, there have not been any safeguarding concerns that required referral to the local authority designated officer or to children’s services. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding protocols.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager ensures that the child’s behaviour support plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff have a good understanding of the child’s Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 4 support needs and risks. Staff said that the plans and assessments are helpful and ensure continuity and consistency of care.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the last inspection, there has been a significant reduction in incidents and restraint has not been used. Most incidents are low level. The manager has good oversight of these and he scrutinises records effectively to look for trends and triggers.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff respond effectively when children go missing. They follow the agreed protocols and work in partnership with safeguarding agencies to ensure that children return home safely. The manager ensures that children receive an independent return home interview.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Leaders and managers ensure that there are effective systems in place in relation to staff recruitment and selection. This supports the safeguarding of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well qualified and manages the home well. He places the child at the centre of his practice. Staff said that they feel listened to, valued and well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses, and has completed a detailed review of the quality of care. The views and opinions of the child and stakeholders are actively sought and acted on. However, the most recent review does not contain clear statements about what has improved following consultation with children and stakeholders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that there are regular visits by the independent person. The manager responds effectively to recommendations that are made. In addition, the responsible individual contributes effectively to these reports and comments and acts on recommendations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs and are guided by comprehensive care plans. These are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff ensure that the child contributes to care reviews, and they act on decisions made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well trained. Leaders and managers ensure that staff receive mandatory training and specific training to meet the needs of children. This includes training in learning disabilities and child exploitation. Leaders and managers take effective action to address poor staff performance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the home has not received any complaints. In addition, no complaints or concerns have been raised with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from social workers and other professionals is extremely positive. The child’s social worker and independent reviewing officer speak of effective Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 5 communication with managers and staff. This demonstrates the importance that the home places on working together to improve the outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two of the three requirements and both recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the quality of care review includes the views of the children and stakeholders, and evaluate how these views can inform improvements in the quality of care that is provided.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 February 2023

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Stable Court Business Centre, Water Lane, Tarbock Green, Prescot L35 1RD

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Inspector

David, Social Care Ofsted Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC489223 8 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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